The amount of the new tax hasn't yet been fixed but estimates are that it will bring in around $11,000,000,000 per annum. It is hoped that the Oz carbon tax will reduce global temperatures by 0.0007 degrees by 2050 (based on IPCC claims). What better way to spend money to help our environment ?

On 21/06/2011 TonyB wrote> (snip)>>The amount of the new tax hasn't yet been fixed but estimates are that>it will bring in around $11,000,000,000 per annum.> (snip)

Thats odd, I've heard rumours from a usually reliable source (not the Murdoch empire) that although the level of the Carbon Tax has not yet been decided it's estimated the cost to Australians will be in the order of $2.50 per person per annum (seasonally adjusted) and indexed to the CPI.

Don't laugh too quickly - i was stuck talking to this guy Starbucks in Lexington who, aside from being unable to take a hint that I wanted to do stuff on my computer and not talk with him, had no idea what renewable energy, greenhouse gases or carbon tax was. He did however seem to think he knew a lot about Australia, and started every sentence with "Oi red 'n Australi-yar that ...".

>The amount of the new tax hasn't yet been fixed but estimates are that>it will bring in around $11,000,000,000 per annum. It is hoped that the>Oz carbon tax will reduce global temperatures by 0.0007 degrees by 2050>(based on IPCC claims). What better way to spend money to help our environment>?

Tony wheels out the denialist meme of the quarter currently doing the rounds of the Aussie denialosphere, serving up fodder for climate delusionals to giggle in tune with each other.

Don't believe the hype. Regardless of the rhetoric Australian went to two elections hoping Labor would do something about carbon and knowing the libs never would. They also voted with their feet, metaphorically, when a bunch of people jumped from the Labor ship to the greens.

Julia no carbon tax this term No MANDATE
Tony definitely no carbon tax NO MANDATE
Greens carbon tax and elected have delivered their mandate
Little Johnnie had no mandate to BIG NEW TAX GST , WORKCHOICES , or to sell most of Australias gold reserve for about a third of its current value Where was the Plebiscites on these huge decisions

On 21/06/2011 lacto wrote:>Little Johnnie had no mandate to BIG NEW TAX GST , WORKCHOICES , or to>sell most of Australias gold reserve for about a third of its current value> Where was the Plebiscites on these huge decisions

It is a bit of a stunt given the outcome is non-binding but there is nothing wrong with the people deciding especially since Julia Gillard promised not to introduce one. The main problem with a tax is that low income polluters will be compensated so they have no need to change their behaviour and higher income earners will just accept the increased cost. The net result is no change to emissions, increased cost and bureaucracy. On this basis the tax should be rejected as bad policy.

This is precisely what most of Australia is doing, although if you listen to the government, we are just confused about the details which will be resolved in due course.

At this stage if nuclear is off the table there is not a clear cost-effective alternative to coal fired electricity. When that alternative presents itself is the time to consider making the switch.